Welcome my friend, grab your cuppa, a treat & get comfy as we share about life in all its seasons. Season was my word of the year (WOTY) last year & Change is this year’s.

And both have come into play recently…as some seasons bring huge changes.

The message we all dread receiving

Recently, I received the message that things weren’t good with my Dad.

Sadly, we hadn’t been capable of making the ten hour trip down to see him for a while, due to our own health conditions. Which unfortunately had stolen precious time from us, for any time apart from loved ones is far too long.

But after much prayer a window of energy opened up for both hubby & I to make that long trip down & spend precious, precious time with Dad.

Life is tough at times

As I sat beside my sleeping Dad, listening to his slow even breathing, looking out the large window of his Care home to a sunny but very cold & windy day, watching the Kangaroos grazing nearby one a mother with her Joey, I prayed silently for God’s continued comfort for Dad who I knew was on the threshold of Heaven.

Memories came flooding in of a wonderful childhood, helping him in his garden & landscaping business as a teen. Cutting old slate tiles each afternoon after school for him to use in his landscape designs. This gave me great joy, knowing that I was helping Dad, for he loved gardening & had made a career out of his love.

Memories also flooded in of sitting beside another important man in my life, my late husband Ed, listening to his laboured breathing as he slowly passed from this life, due to an aggressive brain tumour, into the arms of Jesus.

And the memory of two precious little ones whom I didn’t get to hear take their first or last breath, as they were both stillborn a year apart, my daughter Candy & my son Benjamin.

Yes life can be pretty tough at times, but time is very precious!

Time is Precious

In the busyness of life with all of its responsibilities & distractions we often don’t realise just how precious time is with those we love & just how incredibly short life is on this planet.

As Dad opened his eyes, we had some precious time together, we talked about normal everyday things.

He loves hearing how the family are going ~ my girls, his granddaughters & their families, his great grandchildren & great great grandchild. Five generations all together on this Earth.

Then he was back sleeping again…but we sat with him. As each wake time appeared precious words were exchanged, precious family chats had & prayers of assurance shared.

The hardest Goodbye 

Sadly, the time arrived all too quickly for us to say our goodbyes, it was the hardest goodbye I’ve ever had to say to my father…

Both Dad & I became very emotional as we shared tears & hugs for we both knew that with our individual health concerns, there was every likelihood it may be our last.

But we left with the thoughts between us that if this is the last goodbye here on Earth, the next hello will be in the glorious gardens of Heaven, sitting with Jesus & Mum (who is already there). Enjoying a tea party together, with the most amazing Pastries I’m sure. Dad thought this a wonderful thing & sounded ‘pretty good’ to him.

As Dad continued to head for the promised eternal life with our Heavenly Father & His Son Jesus, I was comforted to know just how wonderful it will be for him, from my own experience of Heaven, shared HERE.

For Jesus Christ promised;

“In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you, because I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back again and I will take you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also.”

John 14: 2-3 AMP

And I can attest that this is absolutely true!

Are you assured of spending eternity with God & His Son, Jesus Christ my friend? If not please join me HERE .

My Dad did pass into Heaven this past week, sadly it was our last goodbye. But I look forward to our next hello in the gardens of Eternity with our Heavenly Father & Jesus.

Until next time,

Jennifer

You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook

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© 2024 Jennifer M. Ross, photo by Jennifer, All Rights Reserved.  

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